Dubai pledges to be free from noise pollution

DUBAI: Dubai Municipality is planning to take legal measures against enterprises and institutions that exceed the noise levels emitted from their activities.

This is done in accordance with Ministerial Decree No. 12 of 2006 on the protection of air pollution, a senior official at the Municipality.

“During this October, the first phase of the project to monitor noise levels in Dubai kicks off, as it is being implemented in two phases. The first phase includes a comprehensive survey of these levels in the emirate by using high-quality techniques, where the data of sound frequencies are collected and linked with the planning and construction maps of Dubai. This data will be analysed later in order to identify areas experiencing high levels of noise pollution,” said Hussain Nasser Lootah, Director-General of Dubai Municipality. “After that, Dubai Municipality will take all legal measures against enterprises and institutions that exceed the noise levels emitted from their activities, in accordance with the Ministerial Decree,” he explained.

According to him global studies have shown that noise is considered the most dangerous type of environmental pollution on public health, and has a negative effect on the audio, neurological and digestive tract of human body, it increases the likelihood of stress and fatigue, with excessive exposure to auditory stimuli that exceed intensity limits approved globally.

“From this standpoint, Dubai Municipality has been paying special attention to this issue for a long time, giving importance to the environment in many ways, through the launch of initiatives to ensure the means of comfort in the emirate, such as pure air, clean water or lowering temperature,” Lootah said. “The objective of Dubai Municipality is to create an excellent city that provides essence of success and comfort of sustainable living, hence, it has decided to implement this project, in line with the Department’s strategy aimed at maintaining the environmental achievements in the emirate, through the development of policies, regulations and effective programmes to keep up with all the environmental challenges concurrent with the rapid growth,” he added.